My Chord Finder
Guitar · C# G# C# F# A# D#
Drop C# tuning
Also called Drop C sharp or Drop Db · A4 = 440 Hz
Tap a string to hear it · Hz
ListeningString 6 to string 1, low to high
- From standard: string 6 down 3 semitones (E→C#), strings 5–1 down 1.
- From Eb standard: only string 6 moves, down 2 (Eb→C#).
- From Drop D: every string down 1 semitone.
Mic stays on your device. On only after you press the button; nothing is recorded or uploaded.
Drop C# is Eb standard with string 6 lowered one more whole step — or Drop D with every string a half step lower. Your Drop D shapes still work; every chord name moves down a semitone. A half step lower is Drop C tuning.
How to get there
Tune to Drop C# from where you are
| String | Drop C# target | From standard | From Eb standard | From Drop D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | C#2 | E2 → down 3 semitones | Eb2 → down 2 | D2 → down 1 |
| 5 | G#2 | A2 → down 1 | no change | A2 → down 1 |
| 4 | C#3 | D3 → down 1 | no change | D3 → down 1 |
| 3 | F#3 | G3 → down 1 | no change | G3 → down 1 |
| 2 | A#3 | B3 → down 1 | no change | B3 → down 1 |
| 1 | D#4 | E4 → down 1 | no change | E4 → down 1 |
Don't mix them up
Drop C# vs C# standard vs Eb standard
| Tuning | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | In short |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drop C# (Drop Db) | C#2 | G#2 | C#3 | F#3 | A#3 | D#4 | this page |
| Eb standard | D#2 | G#2 | C#3 | F#3 | A#3 | D#4 | same top five strings |
| C# standard | C#2 | F#2 | B2 | E3 | G#3 | C#4 | all six down 1½ steps |
| Drop D | D2 | A2 | D3 | G3 | B3 | E4 | a half step higher |
| Drop C | C2 | G2 | C3 | F3 | A3 | D4 | a half step lower |
Drop C# tuning chords
C#50 0 0 X X X
Drop C# · C#2 G#2 C#3 F#3 A#3 D#4
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | C#2 | Root |
| 5 | 0 | G#2 | 5th |
| 4 | 0 | C#3 | Root |
| 3–1 | X | — | Muted |
What is checked: each fret is applied to C#2–G#2–C#3–F#3–A#3–D#4 and the resulting pitch classes must match the selected quality. Only the selected strings sound. These are exact-pitch references within fifteen frets, not promises about comfortable fingering.
Same shape, new name
Drop D shapes in Drop C#
Keep your Drop D fingering; every chord name moves down a half step.
| Fret code (6→1) | In Drop D | In Drop C# | Drop C# notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 0 0 X X X | D5 | C#5 | C#2 G#2 C#3 |
| 2 2 2 X X X | E5 | D#5 / Eb5 | D#2 A#2 D#3 |
| 3 3 3 X X X | F5 | E5 | E2 B2 E3 |
| 5 5 5 X X X | G5 | F#5 | F#2 C#3 F#3 |
| 7 7 7 X X X | A5 | G#5 | G#2 D#3 G#3 |
| 0 0 0 2 X 2 | D | C# | C#2 G#2 C#3 G#3 F4 |
| 0 0 0 X X 1 | Dm | C#m | C#2 G#2 C#3 E4 |
| 0 0 0 2 1 2 | D7 | C#7 | C#2 G#2 C#3 G#3 B3 F4 |
Songs
Songs in Drop C#
Each song's tuning is listed the same way by two independent sources, linked beside it. Songs whose sources disagreed are left out.
| Song | Artist | Tuning listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Misery Business | Paramore | Heartwood GuitarUltimate Guitar |
| Hail to the King | Avenged Sevenfold | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| Almost Easy | Avenged Sevenfold | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| In Waves | Trivium | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| Ghost Walking | Lamb of God | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| Metalingus | Alter Bridge | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| Papercut | Linkin Park | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| Dam That River | Alice in Chains | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| My Own Summer (Shove It) | Deftones | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| Lonely Day | System of a Down | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| B.Y.O.B. | System of a Down | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| Remedy | Seether | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| All Apologies | Nirvana | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| No More Tears | Ozzy Osbourne | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
| Bulls in the Bronx | Pierce the Veil | Ultimate GuitarSongsterr |
Some bands tune differently live or on later albums. The list covers the recording each source names.
Bass
Drop C# bass tuning
Four-string bass, string 4 to string 1: C#1 G#1 C#2 F#2. Tap to hear.
From standard bass (E A D G)
Lower string 4 three semitones, E→C#, and strings 3–1 one semitone each. From Eb standard, only string 4 moves, down a whole step.
Phone can't hear the low C#?
C#1 is 34.65 Hz — below what many phone microphones and speakers handle well. Tap string 4 in the tuner to lock it, then play the harmonic at the 12th fret: the tuner reads its C#2 against string 4.
Strings and set-up
Strings for Drop C#
Why the low string feels loose
On the same string and scale length, tension follows the square of the pitch. String 6 drops three semitones, E2 to C#2, so it keeps about 71% of its standard tension — roughly 29% less. Strings 5 to 1 each drop one semitone and keep about 89%. A standard set can feel floppy on string 6; a heavier low string brings the tension back.
After retuning
Lower tension lets the neck relax a little. Tune all strings again after a few minutes, because they settle. Compare each open string with its 12th-fret note to check intonation. If strings buzz or the action changes, the fix is a set-up — done by a technician if you are unsure.
Drop C# tuning questions
What are the notes of Drop C# tuning?
From string 6 to string 1: C#2, G#2, C#3, F#3, A#3, D#4 — written C# G# C# F# A# D#, or Db Ab Db Gb Bb Eb.
Is Drop C# the same as Drop D?
No. Drop C# is Drop D with every string a half step lower. The shapes are the same; each chord sounds a semitone lower, so D5 becomes C#5.
Is Drop C# the same as C# standard?
No. C# standard lowers all six strings 1½ steps: C# F# B E G# C#. Drop C# keeps strings 5–1 at Eb standard and drops only string 6 further.
Is Drop C# the same as Drop Db?
Yes. C# and Db are the same pitch, so both names describe the same tuning.
Which bands use Drop C#?
See Songs in Drop C# — each entry links the two sources that list its tuning.
Does the tuner record me?
No. The microphone starts only when you press the button. Sound is analysed in your browser and never leaves your device.
Compare the original shapes in Drop D chords, or read DADGAD chords for D–A–D–G–A–D.